Plateau

Yes, it is the ugly "P" word. I'm stuck at just short of 19 lbs. I'm disgusted, there's nothing else to say.

Nothing Good to Report

It's probably best that I waited until now to make this post. I started feeling awful last Monday, by Thursday I was home with cold symptoms. But you know, fibromyalgia is always looking for a chink in the armor. I was in bed Thursday thru Sunday, in pain, fatigued, feeling weak and lightheaded (changing the bed sheets was almost too big a task). I had a headache during that whole time until today, with it being really painful at times. Yuk, I have no patience for feeling bad any more.

I finally woke up this morning feeling decent, not so stiff and no headache. Now at the end of my workday I am TIRED and stiff but still better than the last several days. So although I have been keeping with my eating plan, I haven't exercised since the 13th. So now I lower my expectations and get back to the gym. I don't know how the weight is since I weigh there on the same scale each time. Maybe next week I can let you all know.

bye for now

Down 18 Pounds and 20 is calling my name!

Slow but sure, I keep losing those pounds. I guess I am lucky because I can gain 20 pounds and no one notices, so I guess I can't complain too much when I loose 20 and no one notices. Jeff says there are changes but I suspect he is trying to be nice and supportive.

More and more clothes are being thrown to the top of my closet (so I know they are too big) (or tops into my drawers to sleep in) and everything continues to get looser. I am also lifting more and more weight, more places more than others, but I can see that I am progressing.

I think that about does it for now!

Hanging in there!

Thought I'd take a minute to let everyone know how I am doing. It's a little harder to stay away from the things I am not suppose to eat now that the Challenge is over. I'm going to have a talk with myself and refocus myself for the weeks ahead. Not that I am doing terrible, I missed a meal (forgot to eat) and then Jody invited us for dinner and it was so good I ate too much protein (it was a steak, after all) and maybe a few too many carbs. It was last Sunday and it is the hardest day for me. Saturday is my free day so it is harder to buckle down and get back on the program on Sunday, especially when I don't have the structure of work to help me. Since then I have done great.

One reason I think that I can pass on the sweets and treats here at work is because of the protein shake I drink every morning. I LOVE IT! It is called Fixx and it made by the same people that makes the Form pills. It is full of organic dark chocolate and I put in a blop of crunchy almond butter. It is also full of a lot of good healthy things and it is so satisfying. I am never hungry in the morning until I have been up a few hours so to drink a shake really is working for me. And I get my chocolate fix (hey, maybe that's why they call it Fixx????) and then I am good for the day. I think I could easily drink it 2 or 3 times a day except that they are kind of expensive.

Still working hard at the exercising. No real flare-up last weekend but I was so tired! Had a hard time getting moving after I got home from my weighted workout. We went to a party at church and they were asking people about their hobbies, I guess mine is working out. Sometimes it seems like it is the only thing I get done! I go to work and I work out. But it is all working (down another pound!) so I'm going to keep with the program. One of these days it will get easier . . . . right?

Stopping for a minute to enjoy the view....

I have finished the Body for Life 12 Week Challenge!

I've lost 15 lbs (my goal was 15-20) and I'm down two pant sizes. I have also "lost" the afternoon crashes, the sugar mood swings, and hunger. I feel great! Sigh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . enjoy the view, take a deep breath and . . .

Keep going. This time I am going to measure and see how many inches I can lose. AND I did not flare this last weekend! I am taking more of a supplement that helps my pain and I was able to have a weekend with no fibro pain (well, I always hurt alittle). First time in about 6 weeks. Hard to get much done when you work all week and are in bed all weekend!

If anyone is interested in trying Body for Life I would be happy to help you (did I tell you I finished a Body for Life 12 Week Challenge? I'm an expert now, you know) I really do think it is a great program. I find it so "do-able" even the weighted work outs. I have never been able to stay with an exercise program this long. I am feeling really positive about getting to a healthy weight and keeping active.

Ok, I've bragged enough, I'm done . . .

One More Week to Go!

Well, it's the eleventh week of the 12 Week Challenge. I have lost 14 lbs (my goal is to reach 15 by the end of the challenge). Not that I am going to quit what I am doing. I am going to keep with it until I reach a healthy weight. But I made a commitment to myself that I would finish this challenge. There have been alot of people who have dropped out. I am going to be a finisher!

Still struggling with flare-ups. I have narrowed it down to the cardio workout (just as I suspected). Is losing every weekend to a flare-up worth all this? Right now I say "yes!" but on the weekend I'm not so confident. If I scale down my workout to the point that it does me no good, then it is really not helping me reach my goal . . .

I know I could workout in the warm pool without a problem, but I can't figure out how I would keep track of my time. The wall clock is a distance away and it is so not cool to wear glasses in the pool.

Feeling Discouraged

Had another bad flareup. Was down most of the weekend and still hurting so much on Monday I didn't do my Cardio workout. I guess I will dial my workout down a notch and see if that helps.

I'm beginning to wonder is maybe it is cumulative. I mean, why does my Friday cardio always the one that sets me off? It doesn't make sense, especially when it feels so good while I'm exercising, really no pain. Maybe it is all my exercising, both cardio and weighted, after 6 days, that is setting me off. I don't know how to figure this out except by trial and error. It's feeling like the errors are winning.

I have abs!

Well, you can't see them yet, still snuggled down under a layer of fat, but I can tighten them and I can FEEL them. I have never had any kind of muscle tone in my abdomen, even when I was younger and skinnier. I have been doing ab crunches on an ab machine, I kept adding weight, but I wasn't sure it was doing anything. It is sure nice to see (or feel) the rewards of the work and sweat.

I mentioned earlier about me and my weak biceps and my pink 3 pound free weights, I am proud to say I can now lift 20 lbs on the bicep machine. When I started I could not lift the minimum (10 lbs) more than a couple of times. I have noticed that I can lift and empty a pot of water and pasta by myself much easier now.

Still having some problems with flare-ups, but I recover quicker now and they don't seem so bad. I still have to really watch my heart rate during my cardio workout and keep within a certain limit. I have enjoyed the weighted workouts for awhile now, but I have to say, I am even enjoying the cardio workouts, they are over so quick (20 min) that I can't believe the time is gone by. I don't even mind the sweating part so much.

When I started this Blog and called it "My Transformation" I was just thinking about the transformation of my body, the way I would look. I am surprised to find that it is becoming so much more than that. I feel accomplished when I finish a hard workout, I feel capable of using weights and machines that were so intimidating before, I feel athletic when I can pedal faster on my recumbent bike than the person next to me, especially when I was feeling like such an invalid just a year ago or when I go walk around the track effortlessly as I cool down and drink my water like all the other sweaty people (many so much younger than me). I feel proud of myself when I feel muscles coming alive inside me, or climbing the stairs to get to the Fitness Center (it was a killer when I first started, I had to go up sideways). So even though the changes of my body aren't showing much yet (after, it all starts on the inside first), I am "transforming" in so many BIG ways I didn't expect. I am so glad I did this and I still have a long road to ride (on my recumbent bike, of course).

Still going strong!

I haven't posted for awhile, but not because I have quit the fight but because I am so busy exercising and planning meals. I'm down 12 lbs but also down 2 pant sizes. My clothes are fitting looser and that feels so great to be headed down instead of up.

I had a great experience Saturday. I had a Bridal Shower for my step-sons fiancee at about 1 pm. There was a TON of food. Lots of chips and dips (my favorite!) and meat balls, little tacos, some cookies and brownies, you get the idea. Now remember Saturday is my Free day. I am free to eat whatever I want. I went through the line a picked a little of this and that of that enjoyed it all very much, but I didn't go back for more. I did eat a cupcake, it was wonderful and I was done. Amazing! I know back a few months I would have piled my plate high and gone back for more! I wasn't trying to be good I just ate what I wanted and stopped when I was done.

Now wait, there is more. We were lucky enough to be invited to a friends house for a Barbecue cook off. Two friends each think they make the best barbecue ribs and we got to go help eat the food. We had so much food there, two different kinds of ribs (both terrific) and cheesy potatoes, a rice dish, salad, coleslaw (we brought that, it was embarrassingly skimpy). I filled my plate, but not overloaded, did not finish everything and I was done, full and happy. Again, a situation that just a few weeks ago would have had me going back for seconds or thirds. Now this is on my free day, when I have no restrictions on me at all and I did it effortlessly, almost without thinking.

I credit the Form I am taking that is helping me be satisfied with less food and the Body for Life program. The combination of these two things just seemed to have clicked for me. And I am insulin resistant and have struggled to even lose weight. Keep thinking good thoughts for me and I will write sooner next time!

The first 10 gone!

Yes, it is true, I've lost 10 pounds! In a month!

Week 4

Still having problems with flare-ups. It's like walking on a tightrope, hard enough to build, easy enough not to flare. I still think it is the cardio, so I have taken the resistance down a step when I start riding the bike and so far that is working. Keep your fingers crossed!

Ok, now the real weird part . . . at the end of the work day yesterday, before my lower body workout, a thought ran through my mind "I'm kinda of looking forward to this". Wow, never thought I would look forward to exercise. Never thought I would have reached the 4th week of this 12 week challenge feeling like I can really do this. I am feeling so positive about making real changes in my life, my body, my health. I am enjoying this. I AM REALLY ENJOYING THIS. It's a miracle . . .

I haven't written for a bit, but still going strong. I have lost 6 lbs. total so far, the work outs (both cardio and weighted) are getting better (and I don't feel like such a dork), the Form is filling me up and the six meals a day is getting to be a habit.

I changed to doing cardio workouts on a recumbent bike at our community center. I have to get up at 5 am but I have done some much better with replicating my workout and feeling like I have really work out without flaring my Fibro. To be honest, I was really doubtful I could do all this exercising and still be without pain. Sure I get sore and I struggle with fatigue, but I'm getting active and in better shape and still keeping the flares away. I didn't believe it was possible.

Flare-up

Saturday I woke up and felt like I had hit a wall. So exhausted and pulsing pain in my legs and arms. I slept most of the day and was still too sore Sunday to go to church. I was really hoping I would not flare-up my fibromyalgia, but it happened, so I am having to re-think my exercise plan.

I think it was the walking that caused the flare-up. The weight lifting has been easy to keep slow and easy. Walking was hard to keep it the same each time (especially when you are suppose to increase and decrease the intensity throughout your workout, per Body For Life).

I felt better this AM and went to 5 Points and worked out on an recumbent bike. On that I am able to work out at a specific speed and resistance (and increase and decrease the intensity), something I can reproduce each time. So I am taking it slow and easy and building slowly. I'm a little discouraged but I am still committed to make it work. And not too thrilled to have to get up at 5 am three days a week.

I've scored weight loss!

Well, don't get too excited. I have lost 2 lbs. But considering I am also building muscle (that we all know weighs more), I am doing pretty darn good.

I think the hardest thing for me is all the planning, all the recording what I ate, the workouts, the weight I lifted, etc. Besides the fact that I feel like a pack mule by the time I load up the three meals I eat while I am at work. I am missing the sweets but looking forward to my "free" day on Saturday. On "Body for Life" you get one free day a week where you eat what you want. It is suppose to keep your body off balance and keep it from going into starvation mode. I plan to keep using my Form so that even if I eat what sounds good, I don't stuff myself.

I forgot my Form yesterday and had to go it "alone" for lunch. It was harder to quit eating and leave good on my plate. I am starting to realize that my "I'm full" message is broken or at least slow. I am taking the Form earlier before a meal now, and I think it is even working better.

Change is hard and changing habits is one of the hardest. But I am still in this "marathon" even if I am bringing up the rear!

Okay, I think the exercising is getting to me. I am SOOO tired. When does the exercise make you feel like you have more energy?

Well, at least the Fibromyalgia isn't flaring. So I guess I can't really complain . . .

It's D-Day! Today is the official start of the 12 week Body for Life Challenge at work. I kinda of started last week, since I am being really cautious with the exercise. I figured I might need some extra time. I did my 3 cardio workouts and 3 weight training work last week and I feel like it is really do-able.

I will admit the weight machines are a bit intimidating and there is a part of my that feels like someone is going to come up to me and tell me I don't belong there. Especially the free weights. I am so weak, I can't even do the biceps machine (the lowest weight is 10 lbs). So I am standing there with guys hefting these HUGE weights and I am using the little pink 2 pounders. But I swallow my pride and keep going. I do refuse to do the exercise machine where you lay on your stomach with your butt in the air. Maybe when my rear end isn't so big . . .

The Form is working great! I am easily eating 1/2 as much as I normally do without really trying. I don't plan on taking for the rest of my life but I think my past problem with protions was mostly habiting and I think this will help me establish new habits.

All in all, I am feeling positive . . .

How FORM works!

Well, I tried to add it below but I guess I can't move it, so see BELOW to see how FORM works. And remember, no calories, no stimulants, the only side effect is weight loss!

My First FORM meal

I tried my first FORM pill with about 10 or 12 ounces of water today before lunch. You take it 30-60 minutes before your next meal. (if you want to see how it works, check out the video below) I had brought a peanut butter sandwich and bought some broccoli from the cafeteria to get in some veggies. I had also brought an apple and some pudding from home.

Now I have a big appetite and usually I would have eaten the sandwich, the veggies, the apple and the pudding and still could have eaten more.

I ate half the sandwich, the veggies and that was it, I felt full. I still feel full over an hour later. The company suggests you use FORM for two of your meals and have a sensible breakfast.

They also have a product called FIXX that is a meal replacement shake. I tried that for breakfast today, and it was chocolate and it was really pretty good. I added it to 1% milk and the shake has 10 grams of protein and 7 grams of carbohydrates at about 100 calories (before you add the milk). It tasted like it had more calories than that. I will admit it had a very slight aftertaste (or did I find it because I was looking for one?), so I chewed some Big Red gum and that took care of that.

I have also done one cardio workout and one upper body weight workout. I am a little sore but no flare up of Fibromyaliga symptoms.

All in all I am feeling pretty good about things. I officially start next week. So I am trying to keep a positive thought.

My Plan

I went to a Body for Life info Meeting on Friday. The woman teaching the class said it was really important to plan, plan your exercises (when, where), plan your menu, and plan your success. We actually start on Feb 2 and it goes 12 weeks. So here my plan.

I will do my cardio workout (20 min) will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays here at ICC. There is a nice place to walk around on the third floor where you don't have to go outside (hey, its like 15 degrees here) at 3 pm. (if I can't get away then, I will walk before I go home).

The upper body weight workout and the lower body weight workout (altenating) I will do after work at the community center I belong to on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I plan on keeping those days after work clear of anything so I am free and have no excuse. Jeff is going to help me learn the different machines I need to use.

I will start on my Form pills as soon as they come. Right now I am focusing on my exercise and I am hopeful that the Form will take care of portion control. I will try to eat whole grain carbs and lean meat and bring my lunch. That should help alot.

Anyway that is the plan. I really am starting the exercise out S L O W so I don't flare up my fibromyalgia. I've made a commitment to do this for 12 weeks. I wonder how sore I am going to be tomorrow . . . .?

Got To Start Somewhere

I am leaving all the family news to Jeff's Blog at blogworthreading.blogspot.com. This is going to be my blog about my (hopefully) TransFORMation.

I am trying to get into better shape with the help of a new product by 03 World called Form (hence the name). "FORM puts you in control of your portions, helping you make decisive eating habits instead of compulsive ones. When combined with water, FORM expands in your stomach, sending a message to your brain that you are less hungry. Take two capsules with 6 to 12 ounces of water per capsule, 30 to 60 minutes before meals." It's also called a lapband in a bottle, clever huh?

So I have ordered my Form and signed up for a "Body for Life" class at work (mostly to help wth my exercise). I plan to update my progress here and share it with you. Wish me luck!